A city deserves to celebrate its birthday.
And Madras, that is Chennai certainly deserves it.

So a small group of people who love this city launched a unique celebration in 2004.

The founding day of Madras is considered to be August 22, 1639.
It was on that day, in that year, that a sliver of land, where Fort. St. George stands today, was transacted by the East India Company.
 
The deal was struck by Francis Day, his 'dubash' Beri Thimmappa, and their superior, Andrew Cogan, with the local Nayak rulers.
It is believed that this deal was made on August 22, 1639.

Out of the fort, grew settlements. Then the villages around it were brought together.
And then, the old and new townes linked up. And then we had the city.

Today, Chennai stands tall for a variety of reasons. Education, healthcare, IT, history, tourism, auto industries, movies, etc.
And yes, it also has its warts.

Madras Day celebrates the city.

Madras Day was an idea that three people put together - the city's famed historian, S. Muthiah, journalist Sashi Nair and publisher Vincent D' Souza. Today, they have been joined by three others - senior journalist and editor Sushila Ravindranath, entrepreneur and writer-historian V. Sriram and journalist and web site entrepreneur, Revathi R.

Madras Day focuses on the city, its history, its past and its present and the core team motivates communities, groups, companies and campuses in the city to host events that celebrate the city.
Heritage walks, school exchange programmes, talks and contests, poetry and music and quiz, food fests and rallies, photo exhibitions and bike tours . . . . these and more are the ways in which the city is celebrated.

In order to enlarge participation, the Madras Day has been expanded to create the Madras Week.

In 2010, MADRAS WEEK was celebrated from August 15 to 22.
MADRAS DAY, as always, is August 22

If you wish to organise, collaborate or host an event for MADRAS WEEK and need guidance / info, please send an email to - madrasday@yahoo.com

FUNDERS


 





SUPPORT / HOST ORGANISATIONS

Alliance Francaise of Madras

Archaeological Survay of India

Anna University

Appa Rao Art Gallery

Association of British Scholars

Asan Memorial School & College

Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram, Kilpauk

Ceebros Ecotel’s The Raintree

Chennai Heritage

Chennai Nadar Mahajan Mahalir Sangam

Chennai Photowalks

C. P. Ramaswami Iyer Foundation

DakshinaChitra

Goethe Institut, Max Mueller Bhavan

Global Adjustments

GRT Temple Bay, Mamallapuram

Hermann Gmeiner Primary School

Hotel Green Park, Vadapalani

Hotel Savera

Hotel Taj Mount Road

INTACH

Jaigopal Garodia Sr. Sec. School, Anna nagar

Kalaa Manjari

 

Lakshmi Nagar Civic Welfare Association, Nanganallur

Mad Bulls

Madras Gymkhana Club

Madras Heritage Lovers Forum

Madras Musings

Madras Naturalists’ Society

Madras Photographic Society

Madras University

MEASI Academy of Architecture

Maharishi Vidya Mandir School

Namma Mylapore

Nizhal

Prism PR

Prodigy Books

Roja Muthiah Research Library

Sir M Ct M Boys School

Studio Palazzo, Alwarpet

Taj Coromandel

The Yellow Bus

Vanilla Children Place

World Storytelling Institute

YOCee

Zha Cafe, Adyar

 

Madras Day 2009 Madras Day 2008 Madras Day 2007
Madras Day 2006 Madras Day 2005  


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